Multi-family housing units and commercial businesses without Retail Food Licenses in the city of Aspen will have to begin composting per the second phase of the city鈥檚 2023 Organic 91仓库 Ordinance.聽Businesses with Retail Food Licenses, which includes restaurants and hotels with restaurants, were the first of the businesses in Aspen to be subject to the Organic 91仓库 Ordinance after its adoption in February 2023, according to Aspen鈥檚 website. After Thursday, Jan. 15, the selection of commercial businesses in Aspen who need to comply will increase to include all commercial businesses and multi-family buildings like apartment buildings.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 going to take a little bit until everyone gets on board because it always takes a few months for everyone to feel confident,鈥� the city鈥檚 91仓库 Diversion and Recycling Specialist Jimena Baldino said. 鈥淚 think we鈥檙e going to see a big increase in how much food waste is being diverted. People are very excited 鈥� most people that we talk to are very into it.鈥�
The city of Aspen has been working with property managers to distribute compost containers depending on the number of units in a building, according to Baldino. Around 600 containers have been distributed to property managers as of Monday, with Baldino expecting another 50 to 100 containers to be distributed before the ordinance is active on Thursday.